Winding device for watches



Jan. 23, 1934. H COLOMB 1,944,654

WINDING DEVICE FOR WATCHES Filed Dec, 4, 1930 ,Eg'gfi 1 IN VEN TOR i; ATTORNE Y5 Patented Jan. 23, 1934 WINDING DEVICE FOR WATCHES Henri Colomb, Tavannes, Switzerland Application December 4, 1930, Serial No. 500,045, and in Switzerland December 18, 1929 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a winding device for watches of the type in which the winding stem is positioned by means of a bushing consisting of hard metal. In ordinary watches, the portion of the winding stem above the winding pinion is rotatably and slidably mounted over a relatively short length only in the cage of the movement, especially in small watches as for instance wrist watches. Since the cage is made of brass or nickel and the winding stem of steel, there is produced a rapid wear at the place of contact between the stem and the cage, this wear being increased by the penetration of dust and dirt entering through the opening in the watch case provided for the passage of the stem.

In order to avoid this inconvenience it has already been proposed to provide a hard metal bushing for guiding the winding stem, but in the constructions used heretofore this bushing was secured to the movement plates by means of a special fastening device comprising usually a flange fixed to the movement plate and engaging in a notch provided in the bushing or acting on a projection on the bushing. Such a fastening device is relatively large and bulky and difiicult to place in a small watch such as wrist watches.

According to the present invention the hard metal bushing which may consist of hardened steel is fitted to the movement plate in an easy and simple manner and securely positioned thereon by the provision of a recess in the plate adapted to receive the portion of the bushing through which penetrates the stem, this bushing being provided with a lateral lug integral with the bushing body and permitting to secure the bushing to the plate by means of a screw.

The accompanying drawing shows two embodiments of a winding device comprising a hard metal sleeve according to the invention.

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of a watch movement showing the winding stem mounted by means of a hard metal bushing.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the winding stem and bushing.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the bushing.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a modified arrangement.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section thereof.

In the figures 1 indicates the movement plate,

2 a bridge and 3 the winding stem. The usual set lever 4 engages with its projection 41) the circular groove 3a of the stem 3 and is mounted on the plate 1 by means of the screw 4a. In the part of the movement cage situated above the winding pinion 5 is fitted a bushing comprising a bushing body 6 partly inserted into a recess 16 in the movement plate 1 and a lateral lug or wing 7 which is integral with the bushing body 6 and extends in parallel direction to the movement plate to contact with the back face of the plate 1.

The end 42; of the set lever penetrates through a slot 18 in the bushing for engaging the stem 3.

The bushing is firmly held in position by means of a screw 8 traversing an opening 17 in the wing '7 and screwed into the plate 1.

In this manner the bushing is well positioned and securely and rapidly fastened to the movement cage. This bushing is made of hardened steel so as to withstand any wear which otherwise would result owing to the friction of the winding stem in its hearing. In Figures 1 and 2 the bushing body 6 which is inserted into the recess 16 is of rectangular cross section and extends in an upper annular sleeve portion 9 which penetrates the watch case portions 10 and 11. In this way the length of the bushing can be increased and therefore the guiding of the stem is further improved. The plate 12 serves to plug the opening in the watch case where the sleeve 9 penetrates the latter; this plate could be provided with a yielding sleeve to be pushed over the cylindrical portion 9 of the bushing 6. This portion 9 could be made slightly conical to facili tate the engagement of the plate 12.

In the embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 the portion 13 of the bushing is of cylindrical cross section and adjusted in a cylindrical recess 15 of the movement plate 1. The lug 14 of the bushing is provided with a threaded opening into which the screw 15 screws from the front face of the movement plate 1. Owing to the face 19 of the lug contacting with the movement plate, the bushing will always be accurately positioned in the recess 16 so that its slot 18 will come opposite the end 422 of the set lever.

I claim:

In a watch movement having a movement plate and a stem winding mechanism including a slidable winding stem cooperating with a set lever, said movement plate being provided with a recess, a bushing for the winding stem partly inserted in said recess, said bushing being provided with a slot through which penetrates the set lever, a lateral wing integral with the bushing and provided with a face extending parallel to the movement plate to contact with one face of the movement plate and thereby to ensure accurate angular positioning of said slot in the bushing relative to the recess in the movement plate, and a screw penetrating said wing and the movement plate.

HENRI COLOMB. 

